Superman Returns (2006)

It's a seminal cinematic moment in any child's life: the
first time you see Superman move the world back on its axis
to turn back the clock. Despite the fact that, even at the
tender age of nine (or however old you happen to be), you
know it's only Christopher Reeve, lying on a table against
a blue screen, arms aloft, there's still something immensely
powerful and moving about that scene.

And now, 19 years after the last Superman film (the somewhat
rubbishy Superman IV) hit our screens, and two years
after the death of Christopher Reeve, the Man of Steel is
back. And as the inimitable John Williams theme tune blasts
triumphantly out, accompanied by suitably retro looking titles,
all the excitement of that moment comes back too. But can
his new reincarnation capture our hearts and minds the way
the original did? Surprisingly, it can.

Five years have passed since Superman disappeared in search
of the remains of his home planet (it's a movie - suspend
your disbelief already) but now he's back, in a blinding meteoric
crash. And whaddaya know, newcomer Brandon Routh is the spit-curl
image of the late great Christopher Reeve: all endearing geekiness
and awkward stammer when lying low as Clark Kent, all noble
profile and rippling bod when he rips off his shirt and tie
to reveal his trademark suit beneath (although he appears
to have replaced the Hot Gossip spandex with some kind of
fetching rubber material). Back too are love interest Lois
Lane, played by Kate Bosworth, who doesn't look nearly old
enough to be the mother of fragile, allergy-ridden five-year-old
Jason (you do the math.) and archenemy Lex Luther (Kevin Spacey,
who does his best, but who can't really fill the mighty Gene
Hackman's shoes) and he's, you know, plotting to take over
the world, or whatever...

To be honest, the plot doesn't matter all that much. What
matters is that this new chapter in the Superman franchise
preserves perfectly the good, wholesome, apple pie morality
of the original films, while adding in the kind of effects
that Christopher Reeve and co could only dream about. Perhaps
it's a little bit darker than its predecessors - certainly
there's none of the farcical slapstick that's scattered through
the earlier movies - but there's no tortured soul searching
in the style of Spider-Man or
Christian Bale's Batman either.
There's simply a hero who does good deeds. With his underpants
over his trousers.

More a loving homage than a remake, Superman Returns
won't stretch your brain or tickle your wits that much, but it will
warm your heart and make you feel, for a couple of hours, as if
you're nine-years-old again.